2nd March, 2021

Captured MPs

Does our Government know what a woman is?

Yesterday, the Ministerial and Other Maternity (MOMA) Bill was discussed in the House of Commons. Although the amendments to the Bill were accepted, several speakers aired their concerns with regards to the language being changed from gender neutral, to sex specific wording (to describe something only one of the sexes can experience).

Christine Jardine expressed that using the word “person” rather than “mother” was more reflective of modern life. Crispin Blunt claimed “transwomen pose no risk to women” (men do, though, and self-ID allows men to identify as transwomen). Penny Mordaunt, who once initiated an inquiry into the large increase in referrals to the Tavistock, asserted that “trans men are men and trans women are women.”  

To state this, from the despatch box, undermines the existing meanings of the words man and woman. These meanings are essential to effectively apply the Equality Act; to gather statistics, promote and measure equality and protect the rights of women and girls.

Call to Action

It is important to know whether Penny Mordaunt’s view is reflective of Government’s official position, or whether the definitions of man and woman in the Equality Act are still deemed accurate.

Please email (and Tweet) your MP and copy in Jacob Rees-Mogg. Thank you to Stoat for drafting a template letter.